Lord Drayson: The Government have no plans to delay formal enlistment age into the Armed Forces until an individual's 18th birthday. If the Armed Forces were required to raise the minimum age of entry, it would create serious manning problems, since 35 per cent. of all recruits in financial year 2004–05 were aged under 18. The services, in particular the Army, would be unable to man current structures and maintain current capabilities. It is probable that, should the minimum entry age be raised, good quality school leavers would settle into other careers and thus be lost to the services.

Community Hospitals

Lord Warner: The Labour manifesto made a commitment to creating a new generation of at least 50 new, rebuilt or refurbished state-of-the-art National Health Service community hospitals over the next five years. The Department of Health's vision will be articulated in the forthcoming White Paper on health and social care in the community.
	The department recognises that changes are taking place in some existing community hospitals. This may be because they do not provide the services needed by the local community, or are in antiquated buildings that it is not possible to refurbish to the standards of the 21st century NHS. A new generation of community hospitals and facilities will be required in order in order to respond to demographic changes and shifting needs of patients. Local health economies will need to plan these changes carefully in full consultation with their local communities.

East Jerusalem

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether ministers or officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have held meetings with United Nations officials since 1 November at which extraordinary rendition was discussed; on which date or dates such meetings took place; and what representations were made by United Nations officials.

National Identity Register: Ministry of Defence

Lord Skelmersdale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the moneys not paid to women as a result of gradually moving their retirement age from 60 to 65 will remain in the national insurance fund.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Government will continue to make decisions on national insurance contributions and social security benefits funded from the national insurance fund in the Budget and Pre-Budget Report.

NHS Deficits

NHS Deficits

Ratio of Dentists to Population

Lord Goldsmith: The further review and consultation has not yet taken place but it is due to commence imminently. It will form part of a wider CPS review of the information that they record in the area of hate crime.